Articulating Learning Outcomes in Doctoral Education

Once associated with undergraduate education, learning outcomes—the knowledge, skills, attitudes and competencies that a degree holder can expect to attain by the end of a degree program—are becoming more central to graduate programs, including PhD programs. This publication reports on a CGS study supported by Lumina Foundation that included surveys and interviews with leaders in higher education and accreditors, and a day-long convening of higher education leaders.

Assessment and Review of Graduate Programs

This definitive guide on the purposes, processes and practice of graduate program review, revised in 2011, discusses graduate program review and student learning outcomes assessment. It includes a brief discussion of managing data analysis to inform strategic decisions at the university level for improving graduate education.

Broadening Participation in Graduate Education

This report addresses the need to strengthen and expand diversity and inclusiveness in graduate education. It highlights initiatives that have had success in these areas, and offers policy recommendations for broadening participation in graduate education as a key component of a national talent development strategy, with particular focus on people from traditionally underrepresented groups.

Capitalizing on Innovation: Entrepreneurship and Graduate Education

This monograph summarizes an extensive literature review, findings from interviews with graduate deans, and key perspectives from a stakeholders’ workshop of deans, students, entrepreneurs, and leaders of academic/research programs in entrepreneurship. It also provides recommendations for “capitalizing on innovation” through graduate curricula in entrepreneurship.

Doctor of Philosophy Degree

A broad overview and policy statement useful to anyone interested in Ph.D. education. Revised in 2005.

Ensuring Success

Volume III of the Inclusiveness series, this volume explores ways to move beyond recruiting toward ensuring the success of underrepresented minorities in graduate education. Includes discussion of mentoring, curricular reform, and support systems.

Essential Guide to Graduate Admissions

This publication identifies good practices in graduate admissions and graduate enrollment management. Topics addressed include organizational structures and university-wide policies and procedures, departmental guidelines, and legal and financial issues. This 2012 revision includes new discussion of: “enrollment management” as opposed to a narrow “admissions” approach; international student recruiting; and recent changes affecting affirmative action/diversity efforts.

Financial Education: Developing High Impact Programs for Graduate and Undergraduate Students

This publication documents the results of a collaborative Best Practice project, supported by funding from TIAA, between CGS and 34 U.S. universities (included 15 funded Research Partners) to develop diverse and innovative model financial education programs for graduate and undergraduate students. Topics addressed include the national context for graduate school leadership in financial education, model university financial education programs, and online resources available for students and financial education programs.

Graduate Education in 2020

The Graduate Education 2020 symposium series, a partnership between CGS and ETS, promotes strategic reflection on trends that promise to shape the future of graduate education. This first volume includes a framing essay by CGS staff and contributions on a range of topics from three speakers at the 2006 and 2007 CGS “Graduate Education 2020” symposia: Anthony Carnevale, Stephen Joel Trachtenberg, and Chris Dede.

Graduate Education and the Public Good

Graduate Education and the Public Good is a new report that demonstrates the value of graduate education to the U.S. economy and quality of life, by showcasing graduates who have made significant contributions to our nation. Included with this report is the companion document, Making a Difference, which lists over 300 exemplars nominated by CGS members.

Graduate Education for the Responsible Conduct of Research

This publication identifies “best practices” in responsible conduct of research (RCR) education and is aimed at helping graduate deans, department chairs, and faculty members establish and sustain educational programs that foster RCR on their campuses.

Graduate Education: The Backbone of American Competitiveness and Innovation

This major policy report urges a renewed commitment to graduate education, recognizing its crucial role in enhancing U.S. economic competitiveness in the 21st century. The report highlights best practices and strategies for three targeted sectors: universities, business, and government. Appropriate for university administrators, trustees, and policymakers.

Graduate Study in the United States: A Guide for Prospective International Graduate Students

For decades, international students have come to the United States to strengthen their academic and professional skills. The aim of this publication is to offer a clear and concise overview of the essential information and steps all international students need to take in order to study in the United States.

Master’s Education: A Guide for Faculty and Administrators: A Policy Statement

This guide is useful to faculty members, department chairs and deans as they develop graduate programs at the master’s level.

On the Right Track: A Manual for Research Mentors

This manual discusses the individual and corporate responsibilities of graduate faculty in producing competent scholars capable of conducting independent, original, and ethically sound research.

Preparing Future Faculty in the Humanities and Social Sciences

Results of the Atlantic Philanthropies-funded project are summarized in this 2003 publication.

Preparing Future Faculty in the Sciences and Mathematics

This publication is a summary of the findings of the 2002 Preparing Future Faculty project funded by the National Science Foundation.

Professional Science Master’s: A CGS Guide to Establishing Programs

The rapid expansion and increasing diversity of the PSM from a handful of programs a little more than a decade ago to almost 240 PSM programs today point to a distinct area of growth in master’s education that is responsive to the needs of students and employers. This monograph is intended to serve as a guide for those who are considering establishing PSM programs at their institutions. We provide background and context and discuss feasibility analysis, program development and operation, formal PSM affiliation, and program sustainability. This monograph is a major rewrite of the earlier monograph, Professional Master’s Education (2006).

Research Student and Supervisor

This revised document provides guidelines for supervision at each stage of graduate study and highlights ways to make graduate students and supervisors more aware of their respective responsibilities in the Ph.D. process. Includes a checklist of good supervisory practice.

Selected Legal Issues Relating to Due Process and Liability in Higher Education

Legal issues affecting graduate education surface in a variety of areas at the very heart of the university’s academic enterprise: from academic and research misconduct,and admissions and employment, to disputes regarding the measurement and communication of academic progress. This updated and revised CGS publication is not intended as a substitute for expert legal counsel, but rather as a general guide for graduate deans and other university administrators to the range of these legal issues and their related implications for graduate education.

Setting Expectations and Resolving Conflicts in Graduate Education

This publication provides a model and concrete advice for students and advisors for resolving conflicts. With its specific focus on the faculty/student relationship in a graduate education setting, the monograph makes a significant contribution to the growing literature on graduate mentoring.

Task Force Report on the Professional Doctorate

The first publication reports on the conclusions of a Task Force on the Professional Doctorate, established by CGS in 2005. The report describes opportunities and challenges that accompany growth in these degrees, and calls for graduate deans to play a leadership role in their development and oversight.

The Role and Status of the Master’s Degree in STEM

Master’s education, particularly in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields, is critical to preparing the workforce we need. This publication presents the current state of knowledge about master’s education, with a focus on completion and attrition in STEM. It includes an examination of the categories and characteristics of STEM master’s degree programs, and summarizes a 2010 workshop that explored the role and status of the master’s degree in STEM.